Within Defence Layer
When Is a Laser the Wrong Shot?
Low-cost beams are useful only when the target, range, weather and consequence of failure make a directed-energy shot the safer choice.
On this page
- Why cheap shots are not always good shots
- Targets that still favor missiles and guns
- How commanders sequence layers under pressure
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Introduction
A laser can be the cheapest shot in an air-defence system, but the cheapest shot is not always the best shot. Directed-energy weapons are attractive because they can engage targets at the speed of light and may cost only a few pounds or dollars in electrical power per engagement. Yet commanders are not trying to minimise the cost of a shot; they are trying to maximise the probability of stopping a threat before it causes harm. When range, weather, target hardness, reaction time or the consequences of failure become critical, missiles and guns often remain the preferred option. Modern air defence therefore treats lasers as an additional layer rather than a universal replacement for kinetic weapons. [GAO+2RAND Corporation]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed o…
The practical question is not whether a laser can destroy a target. It is when a laser should be trusted with the engagement and when commanders should spend a missile instead.
Why Cheap Shots Are Not Always Good Shots
The strongest argument for lasers is the cost-exchange ratio. Systems such as the UK’s DragonFire have been promoted as costing roughly £10 per shot, dramatically less than many air-defence missiles. That makes lasers especially attractive against inexpensive drones and other mass threats. [Forces News+2Reuters]forcesnews.comForces NewsDragonFire: £10-a-shot laser weapon achieves UK first19 Jan 2024 — Its operating cost is typically less than £10 per shot…
However, cost is only one variable in a defensive decision. A missile usually carries its own destructive mechanism to the target and can engage at longer distances. A laser must maintain sufficient energy on a vulnerable point for long enough to produce damage. If atmospheric conditions weaken the beam, if the target manoeuvres, or if the engagement window is very short, the economic advantage becomes less important than the certainty of a successful intercept. [GAO+2National Defense Magazine]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed o…
This creates a simple rule used in many layered-defence concepts: low-cost threats with favourable engagement conditions are candidates for laser engagement, while high-consequence threats are more likely to justify a missile regardless of cost. A commander who loses a missile but saves a defended ship, base or city has achieved the mission. A commander who saves money but allows a threat through has not.
Targets That Still Favour Missiles and Guns
Several categories of targets remain difficult cases for laser systems and often justify kinetic engagement.
Threats at long range. [gao.gov]gao.govgao 23 105868Directed Energy Weapons: DOD Should Focus on…Apr 17, 2023 — The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing directed energy we…
Missiles can engage threats far from the defended asset, creating more opportunities for a successful intercept and allowing additional defensive layers if the first attempt fails. Lasers are fundamentally line-of-sight systems and generally operate most effectively at shorter ranges. [The Strategist]aspistrategist.org.auwar at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weaponsThe Strategistthe emerging role of directed-energy weapons15 Apr 2026 — directed-energy weapons are short-range, line-of-sight weapons an…
Threats in poor weather.
Rain, fog, cloud, dust and atmospheric turbulence can reduce beam effectiveness by scattering or distorting laser energy. In such conditions, a missile may provide a more predictable outcome. Weather dependence is one of the most frequently cited operational limitations of high-energy lasers. [National Defense Magazine+2RealClearDefense]nationaldefensemagazine.orgNational Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the ArsenalAug 11, 2025 — Weather and atmospheric conditions can li…
High-speed, high-consequence targets. [onr.navy.mil]onr.navy.milThe intent is to increase accuracy in all weather conditions against high speed…Read more…
Even though modern laser programmes have demonstrated engagements against fast drones, some threats leave little room for uncertainty. Cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles and other high-value threats may justify missile interception because commanders want the highest achievable confidence and often prefer to engage them as far away as possible. Directed-energy advocates themselves generally describe lasers as complements to existing missile defences rather than replacements for them. [CSBA+2RAND Corporation]csbaonline.organti-air warfare defensive systems could engage an incoming cruise missile while it is…Read more…
Large raids from multiple directions.
A laser may shift rapidly between targets, but power generation, cooling and dwell-time requirements still impose limits. When numerous threats arrive simultaneously from different directions and altitudes, commanders may need a mix of interceptors, guns, electronic warfare and directed energy rather than relying on a single engagement method. [National Defense Magazine+2Laser Wars]nationaldefensemagazine.orgNational Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the ArsenalAug 11, 2025 — Weather and atmospheric conditions can li…
Targets where failure is unacceptable.
The value of the defended asset matters. A drone approaching a remote training area may be an ideal laser target. A missile heading toward a warship, command centre or critical infrastructure may justify expending an expensive interceptor because the consequences of a leak-through are so severe.
How Commanders Sequence Layers Under Pressure
Real-world air defence is usually a sequence problem rather than a weapon-selection problem. Commanders rarely choose between a laser and a missile in isolation. They choose the order in which defensive layers are employed.
A common logic is:
- Detect and classify the threat.
- Determine the threat’s danger and time-to-impact.
- Use the least costly option that still provides acceptable confidence.
- Retain higher-end interceptors for threats that genuinely require them.
This means a small reconnaissance drone with a clear line of sight may receive a laser engagement first. A sophisticated cruise missile approaching through difficult weather may move immediately into the missile-engagement category. A final inner layer of guns may remain available if earlier attempts fail. [GAO+2Drone Warfare]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed o…
The approach mirrors the logic behind current laser deployments. The Royal Navy’s DragonFire programme is being integrated alongside existing Sea Viper and Sea Ceptor missile systems rather than replacing them. The intent is to preserve expensive missile inventories for the threats that most need them while using lower-cost directed energy where conditions are favourable. [Shipping Telegraph+2The Times]shippingtelegraph.compowerful laser weapon on royal navy warship by 2027Shipping TelegraphPowerful laser weapon on Royal Navy warship by 2027April 15, 2024 — A burst of the high-intensity beam from DragonFire…
The Cost-versus-Certainty Trade-off
The key implementation challenge is deciding how much uncertainty is acceptable.
A laser may offer: [rand.org]rand.orgIf the technology can be matured,RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJan 25, 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a more cost-efficient…
- Very low cost per engagement.
- Deep magazines limited mainly by power availability.
- Rapid engagement without projectile flight time. [GAO+2GAO]gao.govScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsScience & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed o…
A missile may offer:
- Longer engagement range.
- Greater independence from weather effects.
- Higher confidence against many hardened or distant threats.
- Multiple engagement opportunities through layered defence. [National Defense Magazine+2RealClearDefense]nationaldefensemagazine.orgNational Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the ArsenalAug 11, 2025 — Weather and atmospheric conditions can li…
The commander therefore weighs not simply “Can the laser work?” but “What happens if it does not?”
The Real Measure of a Good Shot
The most mature view of directed energy treats lasers as a resource-management tool inside a broader defensive architecture. They are valuable because they can preserve scarce missile inventories, reduce engagement costs and strengthen point defence against drones and similar threats. Yet the very existence of layered air defence reflects a long-standing military reality: different threats demand different weapons. [RAND Corporation+2GAO]rand.orgIf the technology can be matured,RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJan 25, 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a more cost-efficient…
A laser becomes the wrong shot when weather degrades the beam, when engagement range is too short, when the target is too dangerous to risk a marginal intercept, or when commanders need the greater certainty provided by a missile or gun. In those moments, the purpose of directed energy is not to replace kinetic weapons but to ensure they are available for the threats that matter most. [National Defense Magazine+2RealClearDefense]nationaldefensemagazine.orgNational Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the ArsenalAug 11, 2025 — Weather and atmospheric conditions can li…
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Endnotes
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Source: gao.gov
Title: Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons
Link: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106717Source snippet
Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy WeaponsMay 25, 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed o...
Published: May 25, 2023
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Source: rand.org
Title: If the technology can be matured,
Link: https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/01/directed-energy-the-focus-on-laser-weapons-intensifies.htmlSource snippet
RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJan 25, 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a more cost-efficient...
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Source: gao.gov
Title: gao 23 105868
Link: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105868Source snippet
Directed Energy Weapons: DOD Should Focus on...Apr 17, 2023 — The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing directed energy we...
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Source: reuters.com
Title: britain equip ships with lasers take down drones 2027 2024 04 11
Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-equip-ships-with-lasers-take-down-drones-2027-2024-04-11/Source snippet
These lasers can accurately target objects in the air for around 10 pounds ($12.52) per shot, marking a significant advancement in milita...
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Source: reuters.com
Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-beefs-up-royal-navy-[counter-droneSource snippet
This initiative is part of Britain's efforts to enhance its naval defenses, particularly against drone threats. The DragonFire system is...
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Source: realcleardefense.com
Title: war at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weapons 1176974
Link: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2026/04/16/war_at_the_speed_of_light_the_emerging_role_of_directed-energy_weapons_1176974.htmlSource snippet
The Emerging Role of Directed-Energy WeaponsApr 16, 2026 — For example, atmospheric effects can reduce the effectiveness of high energy l...
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Source: csbaonline.org
Link: https://csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/CSBA_ChangingTheGame_ereader.pdfSource snippet
anti-air warfare defensive systems could engage an incoming cruise missile while it is...Read more...
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Source: drone-warfare.com
Link: https://drone-warfare.com/counter-uas/drone-defeat/Source snippet
Explore kinetic and non-kinetic C-UAS mitigation methods to safely neutralize rogue aerial threats...
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Source: gao.gov
Link: https://www.gao.gov/video/directed-energy-weapons-dod-should-focus-transition-planningSource snippet
Directed Energy Weapons DOD Should Focus on Transition...DOD spends about $1 billion annually on directed energy--concentrated electroma...
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onal watchdog," GAO investigates federal spending and performance...
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Source: onr.navy.mil
Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-cdew-and-high-energy-lasersSource snippet
The intent is to increase accuracy in all weather conditions against [high speed]({{ '650-km-h/' | relative_url }})...Read more...
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Source: rand.org
Link: https://www.rand.org/topics/directed-energy-weapons.htmlSource snippet
Directed Energy WeaponsThis report describes a missile jamming engagement model that was developed to help assess the dependence of an ai...
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Source: forcesnews.com
Link: https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/weapons-and-kit/dragonfire-cutting-edge-laser-air-and-sea-weapon-achieves-mod-testingSource snippet
Forces NewsDragonFire: £10-a-shot laser weapon achieves UK first19 Jan 2024 — Its operating cost is typically less than £10 per shot...
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Source: nationaldefensemagazine.org
Link: https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/8/11/government-perspective-directed-energy-in-air-base-defense-can-save-the-arsenalSource snippet
National Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the ArsenalAug 11, 2025 — Weather and atmospheric conditions can li...
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Source: aspistrategist.org.au
Title: war at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weapons
Link: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/war-at-the-speed-of-light-the-emerging-role-of-directed-energy-weapons/Source snippet
The Strategistthe emerging role of directed-energy weapons15 Apr 2026 — directed-energy weapons are short-range, line-of-sight weapons an...
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Source: laserwars.net
Title: scaled directed energy weapon supply chain problems
Link: https://www.laserwars.net/p/scaled-directed-energy-weapon-supply-chain-problemsSource snippet
The Pentagon's Looming Laser Weapon Supply Chain...2 Feb 2026 — Thermal management is one of the most underappreciated constraints on sc...
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Source: shippingtelegraph.com
Title: powerful laser weapon on royal navy warship by 2027
Link: https://shippingtelegraph.com/shipping-reports/powerful-laser-weapon-on-royal-navy-warship-by-2027/Source snippet
Shipping TelegraphPowerful laser weapon on Royal Navy warship by 2027April 15, 2024 — A burst of the high-intensity beam from DragonFire...
Published: April 15, 2024
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Source: thetimes.com
Link: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/dragonfire-iron-beam-laser-weapons-uk-britain-vqd9klvwdSource snippet
This initiative complements the existing £300 million DragonFire project, which will be deployed on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers from 20...
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Source: royalnavy.mod.uk
Title: 20251120 dragonfire trials
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Dragonfire lights up the night as it targets a drone...
Additional References
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(PDF) Laser-Based Directed Energy WeaponsThis review aims to evaluate the current capabilities of laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DE...
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Link: https://www.facebook.com/LukePollard/posts/did-you-know-laser-weapons-arent-science-fiction-theyre-here-todaylast-week-i-an/1269570708310478/Source snippet
Did you know laser weapons aren't science fiction? They're...DragonFire, the UK's laser weapon, which costs no more than £10 per shot an...
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/LessCredibleDefence/comments/1p6abcg/dragonfire_laser_shoots_down_highspeed_drones/Source snippet
DragonFire laser shoots down high‑speed drones traveling...DragonFire laser shoots down high‑speed drones traveling at 400mph, costs $13...
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Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high -
Source: ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu
Link: https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_feb01ghc01.htmlSource snippet
he PBW. In the [atmosphere]({{ 'atmosphere/' | relative_url }}) as the particle beam travels, it produces an...Read more...
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Source: linkedin.com
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/photonic-shield-defining-future-laser-based-weapons-matt-kuppers-dxvkfSource snippet
tive against even the simplest targets (RAND, 2024). This...Read more...
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Link: https://www.facebook.com/engineeringexploration/posts/directed-energy-weapons-are-emerging-as-a-transformative-force-in-modern-warfare/988353367071578/Source snippet
to critical components. The United States has been...Read more...
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Source: medium.com
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Fire laser shows that the future of defence is not louder...
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Source: defencefinancemonitor.com
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Directed Energy Weapons in 2025–2035: Development...23 May 2025 — Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) – principally high-energy lasers agains...
Published: May 2025
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Title: Iran Conflict Could Drain U.S
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Missile Defenses...Feb 25, 2026 — A 2023 GAO report to Congress described the cost to fire a directed energy weapon at “about $1-$10 per...
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